Wichita eagle., 1887-02-11
THE BAPTIST UNIVERSITY.
The Church's MuniflceDt GiveIs.
Wieki.a 10 be the Great Educational Center CT
the Union.

As has aIread, been indicated in these
columns the Baptist denomination has de-
cided 20 locate in this city what they propose
to make their greatest institution OF learning
vast Of the Mississippi; river. The gentle
men Of the educational committee wi o visit
al Wichita on Tuesday OF this week were
most favorably impressed with the spirit OF
enterprise exhibited By the citizens here IN
their efforts to secure this important institu-
ton. The only opposition came from town
on fine eastern border Of the state, where
there is small Baptist college,
that has been sort of in
cubus upsn tho denomination for
a score Of years Aside from that, there
was practical unanimity il the committee IN
favor Of Wichita, end we are informed by
Rev VIZ. Harper, the pastor Of tie First
Baptist church of This city, that there Is great
enthusiasm among the brethren throughout
the west at the prospect OF having an insti-
tuition that shall properly represent their
! large and growing denomination: and that
! he is also in correspondence with number
! Of wealthy and liberal gentlemen iii the old
CT states in reference to the endowment OF
certain chairs in the Institution.
This is no new scheme, but has been under
discus for several years. Three years
ago Hi. Harper was urged appointment Bap-
lists Of the state 10 present the proposition
Of a tiist-class university to our citizens. and
FROM that time until the present the eyes
OF the denomination east and west have
been upon Wichita as their future educa-
tional center for vast and populous terrific
~. in " ich they hayeseveral good acaden-
les ard secondary schools, but. no command
ing university Ike then Brown, Madison, Ro-
chester. Brci,reu aud Denison of the eeSi
The interest abroad in the establishment
Of the new institution is shown by the
following extract from e letter received by
AR. Harper: . There is money in the
pockets Of our wealthy brethren in the east
for the endowment Of q first class university
in kansas It can be had by that city which
shall first provide the necessary buildings
y,
Tie interest Of III, Baptist denomination
in education and the libeIality Of her wealthy
men ere shown by the following figures
which have been furnished Us Total value
Of pro perty, including epdowments, belong
ing to the Baptist schools in the United
States exceeds $50, O0G0C0 The following
are some Of the individual gifts to these in
stitutions: Nicolas Brown to Brown univer |
sity, slG0, 900; Albert Shorter to Shorter col
iege, Sl50, OJC; Gardner Colby to Colby uni |
,ersity. slo0, COO; kbner Coburn to Colby |
university, 100000; James B. Col
gate to Colgate academy, $4,000; |
Matthew Vassar to Vassar college s56S eco. |
T. " Cook to Cook aca ierny s123, 600, Hi |
ram Sibey, John B. Trevor and John T. |
Deane gave 70 Rochester university s3l5, 000 |
j ohn D. Rockefeller has distributed something |
over s5o0,000 among the various Baptist /
schools Of the country.
It * proposed to commence work here just |
as soon as suitable location has been Sc
cured. Buildings costing s10o000 vii be
erected and the institution viii be organized |
On a very broad and liberal basis. Il will t
he university in the very best sense Of the |
tero, Including the various colleges and |
schools which prepare for the highest type |
Of American citizenship, and the trues: eul- |
ture While the institution will be under
the fostering care Of The Baptist denomina- |
ton it viii be III 10 sense sectarian, but its |
privileges viii te shared 10y ell alike, the !
broaieat cathoheity of religi ous faith being
Taught ANA encouraged.
Al bids for The location of the university
should be in the hands of tie committee by |
the 25oh of February, Rev. v f. Harper |
is chairman Of the Locating committee, and |
bids should he sealed and placed in his hands. /
r-y,y.,r.-~-